Florida Gaming Control Commission Helps Shut Down 11 Illegal Casinos In Volusia County
Law enforcement seized and disabled 400 slot machines and made four arrests
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Following a two-year investigation, the Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that it had shut down 11 illegal casinos in the county. The sheriff’s office conducted the investigation with help from the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
“Throughout Volusia County, we have these illegal gambling houses that are popping up all over,” said Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood. “It’s sort of like playing whack-a-mole: We’ll go in with a cease-and-desist order, they’ll temporarily shut down and then change locations and operate in a different venue.”
The Florida Gaming Control Commission and Volusia Sheriff’s Office completed searches under warrants at the 11 suspected illegal casinos on Thursday. Law enforcement found 400 slot machines and $403,000 in cash. The seized slot machines were disabled. Three people were arrested in relation to the investigation for running an illegal gambling house, while another was arrested for violating parole.
The illegal casinos were at the following addresses:
- Preview Games, 2411 Enterprise Road, Orange City
- Winner’s Circle, 1250 S. State Road 15A, DeLand
- Cyber Monkey, 350 S. Spring Garden Ave., DeLand
- Phoenix 3, 2500 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand
- Comptrek, 2525 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand
- Lucky Seven Arcade, 1720 S. U.S. Highway 17, Pierson
- Spin-N-Win, 1464 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach
- Winners, 1468 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach
- Lucky Duck, 1376 N. Nova Road, Daytona Beach
- Klix Arcade, 1101 Derbyshire Road, Daytona Beach
- Jiffy, 986 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach
Who do illegal casinos target?
The press release highlighted the way the illegal casinos targeted customers and tried to maximize profits, saying illegal casinos “tend to target senior citizens with low or fixed incomes. They provide catered meals, so patrons don’t even need to leave to get something to eat. Many believe these illegal gambling operations are no different from the regulated casinos that operate in Florida.”
The profits can be substantial, with one of the 11 casinos turning a $5 million profit from a handle of $37 million through slot machines in 2023.
While the announcement included a video of Sheriff Chitwood demanding, “The Legislature needs to make a decision: Either make it legal and regulate it, or shut it down,” the press release reminded players of the benefits of playing with legal gambling locations.
For instance, taxable revenue from legal slot machines goes toward the Florida Education Enhancement Trust Fund, which supports students through the Bright Futures Program. Meanwhile, illegal gambling revenue only benefits the owners of the illegal casinos.
